-
Germany invades Poland which begins WW2
Historical Significance: WW2 the deadlist war after WW1 had begun although there were many casualties in this war, this war was one reason many countries had recovered from the Great Depression. -
Period: to
World War 2
-
France and Britain declare war on Germany
Continuity and Change: In the first WW1 when Germany had used Belgium's territory to get to France, Britain had gotten involved to support their ally. Even in WW2 when Germany attacked Poland Britain and France declared war to support their ally. -
Battle of Atlantic begins
Historical Significance: The battle of Atlantic was the longest battle fought during WW2. It was approximately 5 years long and the main reason for the beginning of the battle was because the Germans had sunken the SS Athenia which had 1,000 passengers on board. Also for this battle 110,000 sailors had volunteered, which included the 6,500 women serving in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Services. This battle was mainly navy and airforce. -
Canada declares war on Germany
Continuity and Change: During the first WW when Britain was at war Canada was automatically at war because it was Britain's colony. However by the time WW2 came, Canada had gained some independence and declared war 7 days after Britain did. -
Germany invades France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
Historical Prespective: After Hitler's victory in invading Poland he wanted to attack France from Holland and Belgium. Since France was one main country in WW2, and it's loss would impact the war on whole Hitler decided they should be targeted as well because if France surrenders there would be less allies fighting Germany. -
Evacuation of Allied Troops from Dunkrik, France
Historical Prespective: According to the troops in France, Germany was to invade France through Belgium like in WW1. But this time France got a surprise attack when the German solider attacked through the Ardennes Forest. Since there weren't many troops to stop the attack Germany crossed the defensive lines. The evacuation was finished on June 3rd. -
France surrenders to Germany
Cause and Effect: Due to the invasion of France in May the Germans were able to attack the capital city of France, which is, Paris and due to this victory of the Germans France surrendered to Germany. Hitler wanted to sign the document of capitulation in the same railway carriage used when Germany had surrendered in 1918. This was to humiliate France. Thsi also caused one of the powerful countries to crumble. -
Battle of Britain begins
Historical Significance: After continuous victories from Germany, Hitler was sure he would win this battle as well. However this was Germany's first defeat in WW2. This battle was mainly an airforce battle instead of land. -
Lend-Lease Bill signed by U.S president
Ethical Dimension: It was morally correct for the U.S president Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the Lend-Lease Bill because it supported the allied troops, who had lost many battles with food, and other supplies needed for the war. -
Soviet Union gets invaded by Germany
Historical Significance: Also known as operation Barbarossa, was the largest German military operation during WW2. The defeat of the Soviet Union was a relief for Germany because it removed the communist threat. -
Siege of Leningrad begins
Cause and Effect: Due to the the Germans surronded the city of Leningrad. The residents of the cities were starved, had poor conditions for approximatly 2 years which then led to the death of 636,000. Also due to this seige Russia joined the allies and now the Germans had another country as their enemy.
Turning Point 1 -
Japan launches an attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii
Continuity and Change: Before the attack the U.S had an isolationism policy keeping them out of the war. After the attack on Pearl Harbour by Japan which cost the life of 2400 Americans, 21 ships were either sunk or damged and 188 U.S aircrafts were destroyed, U.S abondoned there isolationism policy. They officially joined the allies becaming part of WW2. Mnay new allies joined after the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Turning Point 2 -
The Doolittle Raid on Japan
Ethical Dimension: It was morally incorrect of U.S to issue an attack on Japan due to anger and revenge. This killed many people in 4 Japanese cities and also 250,000 Chinese who aided the U.S. -
The Battels of El Alamein
Historical Significance: These battels turned the course of WW2 around. For the first time the power shifted from the Axis power to the allies. -
Italy surrenders
Historical Significance: Since Mussolini got arrested and Italy surrendered, Germany lost of their allies frow WW2, which could eventually change the course of the war by giving more power to the allies. -
D-Day
Historical Significance: This was the largest invasion of seaborne and over 4000 allied troops died. -
Liberation of Paris
Cause and Effect: After the events of D-Day the allies troops then reclaimed France. This was a huge blow on Germany's part because they lost the power over an allied country. -
Hitler commits suicide
Historical Prespective: The leader of the Germans/ axis power had died after knowing how brutally Mussolini was killed. He didn't want to die the way Mussolini did so he commited suicide. After Hitler's death it was only a matter of time that Germany would surrender to the allies.
Turning Point 3 -
The United States drops a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan
Ethical Dimension: It unethical for U.S to drop an atom bomb on the city of Nagasaki because it killed many civilians living in the city, approx 26% of the cities population. However after this event the emperor of Japan surrendered. -
V-J Day
Historical SIgnificance: This was officially the last day of the war and the brutal war was over after Japn had surrendered. V-J Day is Victory over Japan Day.
